By Charles D'Souza
In the end, Chennaiyin managed to live up to their billing but from FC Goa's perspective, the match ended on a sorrow note, though the 2-3 verdict showed that Zico's boys fought tooth and nail to claim the trophy. However, Materazzi's team had the final laugh as they proved to hold their nerves in the dying minutes and cashed in on the opportunity to score the winning goal when the teams were tied 2-2
MARGAO
In losing the final, FC Goa lost something far more precious. Nigerian striker Macpherlin Omagbemi Dudu was taken to the hospital when he collided with Mailson Alves right at the start of the final. Though Chennaiyin FC won the Indian Super League (ISL) title in the second edition of the competition after a dramatic 3-2 win over FC Goa, it was supposed to be a final laced with tense spirit, talks preceding the encounter between the two best sides of the tournament predicted that it would go down to the wire.
In the end, Chennaiyin did live up to their billing but from FC Goa's perspective, the match ended on a sorrow note and the 2-3 verdict showed that Zico's boys fought tooth and nail with Materazzi's boys till the end. FC Goa conceded soft goals and loose marking gave the visitors space to manoeuvere and the opportunity to finish within two minutes at the fag end with finesse.
The Gaurs seemed to lack control and as the team appeared a bit sluggish and the pressure to deliver got to them, one would assume. Goa goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani's defensive buffer gave Chenniayin little room to play in the penalty area. FC Goa's trouble started as Golden Boot winner Stiven Mandoza weaved past the rival defender but alert Kattimani blocked his try. Goa looked the more determined side and enjoyed the ball possesion more than the Chennaiyin FC. But then Chennaiyin lived up to their tag when Bruno Pelissari converted the spot kick but first his try was palmed away by Katimani and again Pelisari gently pounced on the rebound.
Chennaiyin FC, suddenly lost their bearings and allowed Gaurs to roar back. The Gaurs seemed to get their act together stitching neat short passes with fluency. The visiting team's defence pressed the panic button and Thongkoisep Haokip levelled the score. FC Goa looked calmer with the midfield holding the ball well and attacked in numbers. This disrupted Chenniayin's flow and choked their advance. A foul by goalkeeper Kattimani prompting the referee to show to the dreaded spot did not deter the goalkeeper as he showed fine anticiaption and reflexes to block Mendoza's spot kick. Goa stepped up the pace and strarted putting pressure on the Chennai side as Joffre piled on misery on their rivals by converting a free-kick.
Suddenly all seemed lost for Chenniayin but Meharajuddin Waddo in in the 90th minute gave Marco Materazi's boys a hope. Mendoza dealt a blow to Zico's boys when he slotted past the rival goalkeeper to silence the home crowd and land Chennai their maiden title as he topped the scorers' list with 13 goals. And, probably a few tears flowed down in the 90-minute encounter. Three cheers to the new champions.
FC Goa failed to recover from some sloppy defending aconceding two soft goals within two minutes to trail 2-3 by the end. Stiven Mendoza's adventurous approach broke the hearts of FC Goa. He was like a panther and showed the knack of being at the right place at the right time.
